Press Release for Thursday, December 9, 2010

UNF School of Nursing Programs Granted CCNE Accreditation

The University of North Florida’s School of Nursing baccalaureate and master’s degree programs as well as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, all housed in the Brooks College of Health, were granted accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Board of Commissioners (CCNE), with no compliance recommendations.

Both the baccalaureate and master’s degree programs were granted accreditation for the term of 10 years, while the DNP was granted a term of five years. All three programs were granted the maximum accreditation allowed by the CCNE Commissioners.

“To receive 10 years of accreditation for our bachelor and master’s degree programs and five years for our new doctoral program with no recommendations is phenomenal,” said Dr. Pam Chally, dean of the Brooks College of Health at UNF. “CCNE accreditation is a mark of approval by our peers. We have worked very hard to be one of the strongest programs in the nation. The credit goes to Dr. Li Loriz and her excellent team in the School of Nursing.”

CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. The Commission ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing.

The Commission serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self‑regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self‑assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.

As CEO of a major local health system and as a member of the UNF Board of Trustees, I am not surprised at the excellent results of the accreditation,” said Hugh Greene, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “The UNF School of Nursing does an exceptional job of preparing nurses in our community.”

The Brooks College of Health offers a full complement of degree programs and specialized certifications in community and public health, rehabilitation counseling, nutrition, health administration, nursing and nurse anesthesia, exercise physiology, athletic training and physical therapy.